Dizziness and Physical Therapy
Almost everyone experiences a few seconds of dizziness at some point in their lives. Do you remember your childhood days when you would spin round and round until you got dizzy and had to wait a few seconds till the “world stopped spinning”? It was fun back then, but when it occurs “out of the blue”, it’s something to be concerned about.
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), about 90 million Americans (more than a third of the population) report bouts of dizziness at some point in their lives. Of those, 76 million suffer from inner-ear disorders, which can be caused by:
- Whiplash (neck injuries)
- Blows to the head
- Viral infections
- High doses of certain antibiotics
- Stroke
- Degeneration of the inner ear’s balance function, also known as the vestibular system (often deteriorates with age).
Inner-ear problems can manifest themselves in different ways. Some symptoms include dizziness, nausea, and blurred vision
It’s not uncommon for individuals with dizziness to go from one doctor to another in an attempt to find a solution.
Leaving You Dizzy
The feeling of spinning/rocking and constant nausea can literally turn your life upside down.
Frequent episodes of dizziness (especially with certain head movements) are a sign of dysfunction in your inner ear. This dizziness can last a few seconds, minutes, or even days. Symptoms of inner ear disorders may be mild (lasting only seconds or minutes) or severe (resulting in total disability).
Common causes of dizziness include:
- Inner ear disorder or ear infection
- Flu or the common cold
- Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). This is common and may be accompanied by hearing loss and muscle weakness
- Ear infection, head injury, and whiplash are common in younger individuals.
According to the NIH, 85% of equilibrium problems have to do with the inner ear. Other causes include a stroke, multiple sclerosis, seizures, and brain tumors.
Supervised Exercises: Your Treatment for Dizziness
Exercise might not be the first thing you think about when it comes to treating dizziness or vertigo, but it plays a crucial role.
Call our office and we’ll help you get the right diagnosis by evaluating you or referring you to the appropriate doctor.
If problems with the inner ear are due to a virus or physical damage, physical therapy can be beneficial. Be warned – the first few days of exercise might make the dizziness worse before it starts to get better. In this case, physical therapy can essentially “recalibrate” the inner ear system. Talk to one of our highly qualified physical therapists to determine how we can help you.
A Word of Caution:
If any of the following apply to you, CALL YOUR DOCTOR:
- You experience dizziness without warning
- Some medicines cause you to feel dizzy
- Your previous symptoms are different now – they last longer or feel worse than before
- You experience hearing loss
If you suffer from dizziness and also have any of the following, call 911 or go to the emergency room:
- Head injury
- Fever over 101°F or 38°C
- Convulsions or ongoing vomiting
- Chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath, inability to move an arm or leg, or change in vision or speech
- Fainting and loss of consciousness
Dizziness is NOT something you should be taken lightly. As qualified professionals, we are here to help and will stand by your side to help you recover from this limiting condition. Give us a call to schedule an appointment today. We’ll help treat your dizziness and work with you closely to restore you to full function.
Call Us Today
Call us today to schedule a consultation so we can better evaluate your situation. A little advice from us has the potential to save you.
Yours truly,
Josh Vance